Celebrate American Culinary Diversity: The America 250 Recipe Contest is a unique opportunity to showcase the diverse food cultures of each state.

Submit your recipe with the following:

• Recipe Title

• Ingredients (listed with measurements)

• Preparation Instructions

• Cooking Time

• Serving Size

• Photo(s) of the Finished Dish (high resolution)

• Format: Submissions should be formatted in a consistent and clear way to be easily included in the cookbook. You can submit your recipes through an online platform (Google Forms or a contest submission website like Submittable).

• Please submit one recipe per person.

Only complete recipes will be considered, including ingredient list, measurements, preparation and an introduction of the recipe origin (no more than 250 words). American cuisine, regional dishes are encouraged.

• Open to All U.S. Residents age 18 and older. Everyone is welcome to participate—whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook—making it an inclusive and community-driven contest.

• National Recognition: Winners will be featured in the America 250 cookbook, a national tribute to the culinary traditions that define America.

Exciting Prizes: Winners will receive recognition, be featured in the cookbook and website, and have the chance to celebrate American food culture in a high-profile publication.

• 50 winners will have their recipes featured in the America 250 cookbook with full credit given.

• Recognition within the book and the chance to be celebrated as part of this milestone in American culinary history.

• No runner-up prizes.

The America 250 Cookbook is anticipated for publication Spring 2026. Please submit all final recipes no later than July 4, 2025 to be considered.

The recipe judges are a panel of celebrated chefs. Details will be announced (TBD).

Eligibility Requirements

• Open to U.S. residents 18 and older

• Participants must indicate whether they are a professional or amateur chef upon submission.

• Contestants must not have participated in a prior recipe contest for the book.

• No purchase necessary to enter.

• Disqualification criteria includes incomplete submissions or recipe copied from professional chefs.

• Participants must include if they are an amateur or professional chef.

Winners will be announced September 1, 2025

• By submitting a recipe to the Contest, participants grant Liza Gershman and her affiliates the exclusive, irrevocable right to use the recipe, including the recipe’s name, photograph, and related materials in any promotional or marketing material related to the America 250 cookbook, including but not limited to future promotional materials, websites, social media posts, and book-related press materials.

• Recipes may be included in the America 250 cookbook (to be released in spring 2026) and used in promotional materials associated with the book.

• Recipes submitted for the Contest must not be simultaneously entered in any other contests or published elsewhere.

• Recipes will be judged based on the following criteria:

  1. Adherence to theme (American cuisine)

  2. Originality and creativity

  3. Clarity of instructions and formatting

  4. Visual appeal of the dish

• Judging Panel: Professional chefs and notable political figures involved in the America 250 project will serve as judges.

• Winners will be required to post their featured recipe on social media, tagging the official America 250 social media accounts and using the contest hashtag #America250Recipes.

• Participants are encouraged to share their submissions on social media using the hashtag #America250Recipes and tagging the official accounts.

• By entering, participants grant permission for their recipes and photos to be used for marketing purposes related to the America 250 book and on social media and the America250cookbook.com website

• Liability Disclaimer: By entering the contest, participants agree to release and hold harmless Liza Gershman, her agents, employees, and affiliates from any claims or liabilities arising out of participation in the contest or use of any prize.

• Privacy Statement: Personal information will be used solely for contest purposes and will not be sold or shared with third parties, except as necessary to fulfill the contest terms.

Intellectual Property Rights: By entering, you confirm that the submitted recipe is your own original work and that you own all rights to the recipe.

• The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• If required by law, tax liability for prizes is the sole responsibility of the winners.

• By entering, you consent to be contacted for any matters related to the Contest, and agree that your name, recipe, and likeness may be used in connection with the Contest and its promotion without further compensation.

9. General Terms

• The Contest organizers reserve the right to cancel or modify the Contest at any time, in their sole discretion, if fraud or any other factor impairs the integrity of the Contest.

• By participating in the Contest, you agree to hold harmless Liza Gershman and her affiliates, sponsors, and partners from any claims, losses, or damages arising from or related to participation in the Contest or receipt of the prize.

• Winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and a publicity release to claim their prize.

10. Privacy

• All entries and personal information submitted will be kept confidential and used solely for the purposes of this Contest. However, by entering, participants grant permission to use their name, recipe, and likeness for promotional purposes related to the America 250 cookbook.

11. Miscellaneous

• The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with any third-party platforms such as Google Forms, Submittable, or social media sites.

• All disputes will be resolved under the laws of the United States.